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Ravens Rock Rally Links

The 2017 Ravens Rock Tarmac Rally returns to Waterford city and county on the 24th and 25th of June. The rally is sponsored by Kilsheelan Limestone Quarries, Dooley’s Hotel etc. The rally has been an annual feature in Irish Rallying since the early 1970’s. It has had a nomadic relationship in the counties of Waterford, Kilkenny and Tipperary during the intervening years. Happily, it has put down roots (of a kind) in Waterford.

Without exception Co. Waterford has some of the most challenging roads and stages that rival the best that the famed Kerry, Galway and Donegal International rallies boast about. The terrain in Co. Waterford is varied between fast flowing roads in the broad valleys, to the testing twist mountain roads that are along the backbone mountain regions of the county.

Not alone does the Co. Waterford play host to the motorsport fraternity, it also has attractions for the families and friends of the competitors who enjoy a more social and relaxed rest on the many tourist related activities available throughout the county.

The recently opened Waterford Greenway is worthy of mention and promotion by all bodies who wish to promote what is so positive about the county attractions. The Television show “RED WATER" filmed in and around Dunmore East will also showcase the coastal attractions that dominate The natural boundary of a scenic coastline.

The Ravens Rock Tarmac Rally has proved its popularity with rally competitors and by sponsors of several rally championships, TRITON SHOWERS National Tarmac Rally Championship; SUIRWAY GROUP South East Stages Rally Championship; Plastic Bags Southern 4 Rally Championship. While this area does not have an International Rally, the Carrick-on-Suir event through its professional attitude and experience run this event to International Standards.

The reception that its organisers meet when canvassing support from businesses and more importantly from residents on the stages shows that the event is run in a manner that makes it an enjoyable event and experience for everybody. The Civil authorities, without whose co-operation the event may not run, lend their support and resources to assist the club and event to run as smoothly as possible.

The rally will be based in Dooley’s Hotel, The Quay who have supported the events of Carrick on Suir Motor Club since the 1980’s. Preparation for the event started when the 2016 event finished. So, it’s not a quick look around to see what route is available. The personnel required to run the event are identified and the broad outline laid out on paper. The feasibility of the route is tested and tweaked,taking into account all the stakeholders from sponsors residents county council operations availability of the infrastructure required within the City limits to facilitate the Parc Ferme, Start and finish locations and a suitable service area.

The TRITON SHOWERS National Rally Championship is the ‘showcase’ Rally Championship in Ireland. The Championship attracts competitors from all regions of Ireland together with strong support from English and Welsh based crews. Rally in Ireland on closed roads is a major attraction for the cross-channel crews who normally compete on the disused airfields or military sites that may be available to them.

Indeed Ireland and Waterford has a rising World Rally Star who plies his trade and more importantly ‘lives his dream’ competing with the best in the world competitors on the WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP. Craig Breen competes with the Citroen World Rally team on events throughout the world rallying circuits. Craig cut his teeth on the stages within a 50 kilometre radius of Waterford before progressing to the more demanding events of the British and then the European rally Championships.

The rally is expected to attract a capacity entry to the Waterford venue.